Since the inception of the Premier League, various players have made a mark with their goal-scoring heroics. Most notably, Manchester United’s roster has produced exceptional individuals over the years, with the Red Devils winning a remarkable 13 Premier League titles, more than any other team.
From a flying Dutchman and French maverick to some prolific midfielders, the Manchester United contingent is well-represented when ranking the top Premier League scorers of all time.
While players chase the honours of netting in as many goals as possible, bettors can also get a chance to select the player they think will be the top Premier League scorer in any season. At leading sportsbooks like Playup, punters can place bets on the top scorer of a tournament and other betting options as they catch the action over the season.
1. Wayne Rooney – 183 Goals/393 Appearances
Topping the list is Rooney, whose eye for the goal made him average around one goal every two games in his United career. The forward was remarkably prolific, hitting double figures in eleven consecutive seasons from 2004/2005 to 2014/2015, and sits second in the league’s top-scoring history behind Alan Shearer.
2. Ryan Giggs – 109 Goals/632 Appearances
Part of United’s formidable midfield combo with Scholes, Giggs closely follows his colleague in the all-time ranking list.
In addition to creating chances for his teammates, Giggs was also a goal threat, averaging five goals in 11 seasons and hitting at least 10 goals in the 1990s. He holds the record for most Premier League titles won by a player with 13 winners medals.
3. Paul Scholes – 107 Goals/499 Appearances
Likened to Barcelona’s Iniesta, Scholes played his whole career at Old Trafford and was part of the team’s golden era. Scholes was a dominant midfield presence thanks to his string of pin-point passes, causing problems for opposition defenders.
The 2002/2003 season was his most prolific, finding the back of the net 14 times—his second campaign to hit the 10-goal mark after scoring ten goals in the 1995/1996 season.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo – 103 Goals/236 Appearances
The number 7 maestro rises the rankings thanks to his second stint at Old Trafford after netting 18 goals in the 2021/2022 season. In his early years at the club, he scored 31 goals in the 2007/2008 season, aiding United to win the title ahead of rivals Chelsea.
Unfortunately, his second time at Old Trafford was cut short after criticising United’s management in a long-ranging interview with Piers Morgan. However, his legacy at Manchester will forever remain.
5. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 95 Goals/150 Appearances
The Flying Dutchman was a breath of fresh air in the Premier League, rattling the net at least 20 times in four of his five seasons before crossing over to the Santiago Bernabéu. Van Nistelrooy’s honours include the Golden Boot—scoring 25 goals in 34 games in the 2002/2003 season and helping United land the league title.
Averaging a goal every 127 minutes makes the Flying Dutchman have the best goals-per-minute ratio among the players in this list.
6. Andy Cole – 93 Goals/195 Appearances
Andy Cole ranks among the top five goalscorers in Premier League history thanks to his appearances over eight top clubs. However, his most trophy-laden spell came under the management of Ferguson at Old Trafford.
After his remarkable 43 Premier League goals in 58 outings for Newcastle, United broke the then-British transfer record to bring Cole to the Theatre of Dreams. Forming a deadly partnership with Dwight Yorke, Andy went on to win five league titles with Manchester United.
7. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 91 Goals/235Appearances
Solskjaer’s overall return cannot be understated despite being remembered as the ultimate super-sub courtesy of his reputation for scoring from the bench. His first season with United in the 1996/1997 campaign was his best, netting 18 goals to become the club’s top goal scorer while also bagging the Premier League trophy.
More goals were to follow up in another four seasons during the most successful time for the club, with his crucial goal in the 1999 Champions League Final being a highlight in his career.
8. Eric Cantona – 64 Goals/143 Appearances
The maverick French national had the football skills to complement his swagger, raking double figures in his four full seasons at the Theatre of Dreams. Cantona’s best league outing was 18 goals during the 1993/1994 season, helping the Red Devils win the league title while clinching the PFA Player of the Year.
9. Marcus Rashford – 63 Goals/218 Appearances
Rashford marked his entry into the top-flight club by scoring two goals against Arsenal at 18 years, becoming the club’s fourth youngest Premier League scorer after Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck, and Mason Greenwood.
With seven seasons so far and still having not yet reached the prime of his career, it’ll be interesting to see how far Rashford will progress. His resurgence under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and decent exploits at the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup will further boost his confidence.
10. David Beckham – 62 Goals/265 Appearances
In his 265 appearances over nine seasons, David Beckham scored 62 goals—averaging between six and eleven goals per season in eight of his nine seasons.
Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, Beckham was a threat with his right foot for long-range shorts and his fearsome free-kick ability. Beckham’s best return was in the 2001/2002 season, managing 11 goals despite having an injury-curtailed campaign.
